A student-run fundraising campaign for cystic fibrosis research.

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Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal, genetic disease affecting Canadians today. Approximately 1 in every 3,600 children born in Canada is diagnosed with the disease, and 1 in 25 people carry the affected gene. CF is a disease that targets multiple organs, affecting primarily the lungs and the digestive system. It is characterized by the build-up of thick mucus in the lungs and digestive tract that makes it difficult to breathe and secrete the enzymes necessary to absorb nutrients from food. As a result, people with CF must take a very large quantity of artificial enzymes with everything they eat in order to ensure that the food is digested properly. To complicate matters, the mucus in the lungs makes it very difficult for people with CF to clear their lungs of bacteria. This leads to multiple infections that contribute to the deterioration of the soft tissues in the lungs. A person with CF takes an average of 20 pills a day in order to combat infection and ensure adequate nutrition. At this point in time, there is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

That’s where Shinerama comes in.

Since 1964, Canadian university students have been washing cars, collecting bottles, and shining shoes to raise money for CF research. Created as a way to give back to the community, Shinerama is now one of the most successful fundraisers for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Each year, Shinerama raises around $1,000,000 for CF research, with Queen’s University as a major contributor. We are so excited to work with Shinerama again this Orientation Week as well as throughout the year to raise money for such an amazing charity!

For more information on what Queen’s is doing for Shinerama, just go to the “our events” tab and check out what we have planned for Orientation Week! You can even help us out by participating in our events! While you are here, check out our Goals tab to see what we are working towards this year! If you would like to learn more about CF and what Shinerama does to raise awareness, clickhere to go to the official site for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.